A major appeal to improve care for patients with incurable cancer is being backed by the Northern Echo.

Even though local cancer rates are ten per cent higher than the average for England, County Durham doesn’t have its own consultant in palliative care.

So Macmillan Cancer Relief has launched an appeal to improve services.

It is asking the people of County Durham to help raise £600,000 to cover the cost for three years of the county’s first consultant in palliative care.

The money will also be used to fund two more Macmillan nurses, and after three years, the NHS will take over the funding.

Northern Echo editor Peter Barron, said: “Sadly, cancer affects us all – either directly or indirectly.

“That’s why we felt that it was important for The Northern Echo, as the campaigning paper for the region, to support this important appeal.”

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